Sarah Hyland, Hailee Steinfeld: Next Generation Philanthropist (Video)

The "Modern Family" and the "True Grit" starlets are heavily involved in two great charities.

2:22 PM PDT 8/2/2011 by Noela Hueso

Comments

She may not be old enough to vote, but Hailee Steinfeld, 14, doesn't let age stand in the way of her making a difference. That's why when her True Grit co-star Jeff Bridges told her about his No Kid Hungry Campaign, which aims to eradicate child hunger in the U.S. by 2015, she jumped at the chance to get involved. Says Steinfeld, "I was completely shocked to learn there are kids my age who don't have access to food like we do."

In the past two years, she's been spreading the word about the awareness campaign, which enlightens city and state officials about existing federally reimbursed food programs for kids that often go unused. "I've gotten all my friends and family to take the No Kid Hungry Pledge on nokidhungry.org," she says.

Bridges also inspired Modern Family's Sarah Hyland, 20, to join the cause. "The message just touched me so much," she says. It's not Hyland's first foray into philanthropy. She's also a youth ambassador for the Lopez Foundtation, which seeks to create positive change for underprivileged children and adults with kidney disease.

"I hate the word celebrity," Hyland says, "but using our voices can bring attention to these causes and help spread the word faster."

The Philanthropy Issue: The Industry's Protectors of the Environment, Arts and Education

First Look: Hailee Steinfeld in Miu Miu Ad Campaign (Pic)